Mendo Lake Family Life July 2019 by familylifemag

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July 2019

July 4! Local celebrations

Have Kids, Will Travel

Tips for family flying

Word Wise Raise a writer

Solo Sports 12 ideas

Have a Cool Summer Use sunblock, drink plenty of water, have fun and call us if you need us.

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Summer health tips from our pediatric team Water is the go-to drink when it’s warm out!

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Apply at least 30 spf every 2 hours when outside. Designate an adult to watch kids at the pool. Limit vigorous physical activity outdoors when it’s above 90 degrees. Daily tic check! If tics are pulled off before 2 days, they are much less likely to spread diseases like Lyme.

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July 2019

Every Issue 6

Dear Reader

Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Fun Page A maze for your munchkin.

10 Features 10 Have Kids, Will Travel Practical tips for sane family flying.

12 Solo Sports Get your introvert moving.

14 Rockhounds Dig in the dirt together.

16 Stop Brain Drain

Bits and Pieces Comedy Under the Big Top Horsing Around By Land and Water Uncle Sam Throws a Bash Get Some Aloha Tomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tribe Taming of the Dude

22 Calendar of Events Purple Reign

28 Cooking with Kids Bowl of Crunch

30 Humor Break You Will Not Rest

Learning is a year-round affair.

18 Word Wise How to raise a writer.

20 Little Bits of Courage Help wee ones face the first day of school.

23 Party in the Sky Catch local pyrotechnics.

28 4 MendoLakeFamilyLife

July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

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Dear Reader

ummer is in full swing, and your vacation plans are most likely in gear. If you are flying anywhere with your family, check out Sharon Gowan “Have Kids, Will Publisher/Editor Travel” (page 10) for Sharon@family-life.us some practical tips on how to make it through your flight with your sanity intact. If you are looking for ways to keep your kids entertained, we’ve got you covered, with ideas for introverts and extroverts alike. In the former category, “Solo Sports” (page 12) offers exercise options for kids who aren’t interested in team sports, while “Word Wise” (page 18) offers child-sized tips on cultivating the solitary art of writing. Meanwhile, “Rockhounds” (page 14) introduces an educational outing you and your extrovert can do together: rock hunting. As the author says, it’s more about

connecting to each other in nature than being a geological wizard. So consider giving it a try! Of course, Independence Day celebrations, with their colors, sounds, and sparkle, are super fun for extroverted types. Turn to “Party in the Sky” (page 23) for a list of local fireworks displays.

Office Manager Patricia Ramos patty@family-life.us

As you look ahead to August, your parent-brain may already be thinking back-to-school thoughts, especially if your child is getting ready to enter kindergarten. Is your wee one feeling anxious about the big first day? Take a look at “Little Bits of Courage” (page 20) for ways to prepare her or him. As the gentle winds of summer still blow, we wish you a July of toes dipped in pools, faces turned toward skies of blue, and hearts filled with memories that will bring you joy the whole year through.

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July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Fun Page

Bits & Pieces

Comedy Under the Big Top

By Land and Water

ids love physical comedy. And there will be plenty of it in Out of Hat, Flynn Creek Circus’s original tale featuring the Las Vegas acrobatic troupe Off Axis and Swiss “gentlemen jugglers” Kris and Harrison Kremo. The show will come to Friendship Park in Mendocino July 2–6. Performances will be on July 2 at 7 p.m., July 3 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. (the latter show a benefit for the Fort Bragg Library), July 4 at 1:30 p.m., July 5 at 4 p.m. (with an adult-only show at 7 p.m.), and July 6 at 2 p.m. Admission for the July 2 show is $11–$22 and for other shows is $12–$50. Purchase tickets at flynncreekcircus.com. ¶

Kris and Harrison Kremo

wimming, running, cycling—usually young athletes focus on one of these activities. But during the Kids Triathlon in Ukiah, children will test their skills at all three sports. Open to ages 15 and younger, the event will be divided into three levels by age group. Participants will begin the race with swimming at the Ukiah municipal pools, then transition to cycling at Anton Stadium, and end with running at Todd Grove Park. The triathlon will be held on July 27 at 9 a.m. and costs $10–$15 to enter. Register online at ukiah.recdesk. com. To find out details about the race, go to cityofukiah.com/kids-triathlon. ¶

Horsing Around

ne might say there is a certain look to rodeo contestants—the cowboy boots and hat, maybe a pair of chaps. But it’s not the look that wins contests; it’s the skills, which take competitors years to develop. Spectators can see such expertise in action at the Lake County Rodeo’s barrel racing, team roping, and mutton-busting contests. There will also be a Cutest Lil’ Cowpoke contest, for the little ones. The event will be held July 12–13 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport. Find out more at lakecountyrodeo.com. ¶

8 MendoLakeFamilyLife

July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Uncle Sam Throws a Bash

atching fireworks at night is the traditional way to celebrate the Fourth of July. But the City of Ukiah thinks that there should be a daytime party, too. And so every year it holds the free All American Picnic in the Park. Music, arts and crafts, bounce houses, organized games, and free swimming will all be part of the fun this July 4, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., in Todd Grove Park in Ukiah. For more information, see cityofukiah.com. ¶

Get Some Aloha

Taming of the Dude

hakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew is about an ambitious man who shows his bride-to-be who’s the boss. But the Lake County Theatre Company puts a modern spin on the old tale. In its version, it’s the women who wield the power and the men who are expected to conform. The new twist will be played out at this year’s Shakespeare at the Lake, at Library Park in Lakeport, on July 27 and 28 at 6:30 p.m. The show will also be staged August 2–4 at 6:30 p.m. at Austin Park in Clearlake. Seating for these free outdoor performances will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, see laketheatre.org. ¶ www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Tom’s Tribe

e may not get to hear the voice of Tom Petty anymore— the rocker died in 2017—but cover vocalists can give fans a little bit of a fix. One such singer will perform as part of the Double Trouble concert, a tribute to Petty and Bob Seger that will be held at Cache Creek Vineyards in Clearlake Oaks on July 27 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20–$65 and may be purchased at brownpapertickets.com/ event/4273052. ¶

Shakespeare at the Lake

Karl Parker

Evening in Polynesia Luau

any people’s budgets don’t allow for summer vacations to tropical destinations. But those who attend the Evening in Polynesia Luau can get a taste of such environs, without leaving Lake County. Polynesian dancers and Hawaiian food will be the main offerings of the event, which is a fundraiser for the Lake County Family Resource Center. And there’ll be a raffle for a trip to Hawaii, too. The event will be held on July 13 at 6 p.m. at Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill in Kelseyville. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at lakefrc.org/ special-events. Call 279-0563 for more information. ¶

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MendoLakeFamilyLife 9

a wrestling match then? Nope, she slept the entire flight both ways. It was worth every penny. Pack a change of clothes for the plane. Sometimes you learn the hard way, and other times you learn in a downright repulsive way. Don’t worry; you are going to hear all the gory details.

for Have Kids, Tips Family Will Travel Flying By Cheryl Maguire

love to travel. Before becoming a proud parent of three darling cherubs everyone said to me, “Enjoy traveling now because once you have kids you won’t be able to do it anymore.” Well, I proved all the naysayers wrong by hopping on planes with three kids in tow. I didn’t let their ages stop me either; they all flew before they turned two. It wasn’t always easy, though. In fact, it was thoroughly disgusting at times but definitely worth it. Here are the tricks that served me best.

Bring a car seat. The first time our twins flew internationally they were 18 months old. Most airlines do not require you to purchase a ticket for a child who is under the age of two so, of course, I saved the money and didn’t purchase tickets for them. I wish I had video recorded that trip because I know I would’ve won first place in America’s Funniest Home Videos. 10 MendoLakeFamilyLife

The entire ride both ways was a wrestling match between us (me and my husband) and our boy/girl twins. They definitely won, in case you were wondering. There was no way they wanted to sit quietly on our laps for five hours—they wanted to roam freely through the exciting new airplane. As you can imagine, I still have nightmares about it. When we traveled with their younger sister, I purchased a ticket for her, which meant I could strap her into her car seat. Do you think there was

When my son flew for the first time, we didn’t know he is prone to motion sickness—until when, at 36,000 feet, he

I pack an entire carry-on suitcase with just snacks. vomited his egg and cheese sandwich all over me. Of course, I had nothing to change into for the rest of the five-hour flight. Your child doesn’t have to get motion sickness; there could be a variety of other issues (I’m sure you can envision them if you try) that could require a change of clothes. So prepare accordingly. Pack a change of clothes for your destination. Along with carrying on a change of clothes for the plane, you should also take clothes for your destination. Your luggage could get lost or it could take time getting to your room. You don’t want to be the family hanging out by the pool dressed in hoodies and pants because your swimsuits and shorts are in limbo. Besides being soaked with sweat, you will have three whining kids repeatedly asking, “When can I go swimming?” Trust me, it is no way to start your vacation. Bring lots of food. I can’t stress this enough. I pack an entire carry-on

July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

executed with a deck of cards, that are easy to play and portable. Kids of all ages usually love these games. You could even learn a card trick or two and wow your little ones with your sleight of hand.

suitcase with just snacks. Food=kid happiness. You have to save the snack-dispersion moments for when your child is about to lose it. Even a suitcase worth of food will run out if overused. And, even if you do bring extra clothes, you don’t want your child to vomit on you because he or she was overfed. Play old-school games. Let’s face it, things can go wrong with electronics (batteries die, the Wi-Fi doesn’t work), and kids can get bored with them. If you are relying on those cool seat monitors to keep your kids entertained, don’t. On at least three of our flights, none of the monitors worked. There are lots of old-school games, such as Tic-Tac-Toe, I-Spy, or games

Sometimes you learn the hard way, and other times you learn in a downright repulsive way. Put names on the outside of passports. If you are, as I am, in charge of several passports, putting each person’s name on his or her passport means you don’t have to open each one to figure out to whom it belongs. A fellow traveler told me

this tip, and I’ve received numerous compliments from security and airline personnel whenever I implement it. In fact, I’ve probably heard more compliments about my passport covers than any other parenting technique I’ve tried. So, if for no other reason, you could use this tip just to hear, “what a great idea.” Now that I shared my mishaps and admirations with you, hopefully you can have fun flying with your wee ones. (That’s right, I used fun and flying in the same sentence.) Your flight will turn into a distant memory—unless you forgot your change of clothes. ¶ This article was originally published in Sasee Magazine. Find Cheryl Maguire on Twitter @ CherylMaguire05.

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July 2019

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Skateboarding With numerous forms, such as slalom, freestyle, street, off-road, vert, and park, skateboarding offers many benefits, including overall fitness and endurance, the ability to move with precision, and as many a skateboarder will attest, increased pain tolerance.

Solo Sports

Bicycling This is an excellent form of exercise that improves strength, coordination, and flexibility. There

Team sports aren’t for everyone.

Activities for Introverted Kids

are several forms of bicycling that might appeal to your child, including distance endurance cycling, mountain biking, and stunt riding.

By Kimberly Blaker

here’s no doubt, team sports offer an array of benefits to kids, providing opportunities to develop friendships, work with others, problem solve, and learn good sportsmanship.

But team sports aren’t for everyone. Many kids, particularly those who are introverted or shy, lack interest in or struggle with team sports, finding social or group experiences stressful and mentally exhausting. So what can you do to help your child get in shape, develop motor skills, and still be true to him or herself? There are plenty of sports and physical activities that aren’t taxing to introverts. Here are several: Martial Arts This sport is divided into the categories of wrestling, striking, grappling, and weaponry. 12 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Many disciplines use a combination of these categories; let your child help decide which style to try. Some of the most popular forms include judo, tai chi, karate, kickboxing, wrestling, tae kwon do, aikido, and jiujitsu. They all teach some form of self-defense, and also help kids develop motor skills and self-discipline. Gymnastics This popular sport improves strength, flexibility, balance, and cognitive functioning. Kids can learn floor exercises as well as routines for balance beam, vault, uneven bars, still rings, and parallel bars.

Archery Although archery might appear to be a passive sport, it offers several benefits, including improved balance, coordination, upper body strength, and mental focus. Also, during competitions, archers get plenty of aerobic exercise, as they often walk up to five miles. Dance While many people argue dance isn’t a sport, it nonetheless is a physical activity that develops self-confidence, balance, stamina, and strength. Forms of dance include tap, ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, swing, Latin, contra, Irish step dance, and more. Swimming and Diving Swimming builds strength, particularly upper body strength, while improving cardiovascular fitness. Diving improves agility and mental focus. Golf For those who walk the course and carry their bags, golf is an excellent form of exercise. It also

July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

GIVE US A SHOUT!

reduces stress and stimulates the brain. Unlike most sports, it has low risk of injury, offering parents peace of mind.

We want to know what you think.

Running As straightforward as running may sound, there are several forms from which your child can choose. There’s adventure, cross-country, road, and mountain running, as well as the opportunity to participate in track and field

• What did you like in this issue? • What do you want to see more or less of? • Know a teacher, coach, or special person who makes local family life better? • Know of an upcoming event or fun family outing? • Want to write stories or recipes, or blog for Family Life?

e-mail melissa@family-life.us

Dance develops self-confidence, balance, stamina, and strength. and competitive races, including marathons. Whatever the form, it’s an excellent cardiovascular workout that builds endurance, releases stress, and uplifts mood. Water-Skiing This sport improves endurance while strengthening the lower body and developing balance. Rock Climbing If you have a tree climber on your hands, rock climbing might be the perfect sport. Climbing is an excellent cardiovascular workout, tones and strengthens muscles, and improves mental focus. Indoor rock-climbing facilities offer safety apparatus to make it less-risky. Inline Skating Although rollerblading first gained popularity with hockey, it’s a leisure sport unto itself. Inline skating offers almost the same cardio and musclebuilding benefits as running, but without so much impact on the joints ¶. Kimberly Blaker is a nationally published freelance writer. Find her at kimberlyblaker.com.

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MendoLakeFamilyLife 13

sandwich came in.” He also notes that “modest goals are best.” Some children may be satisfied with collecting a few pretty treasures to show their friends. Others will be interested in sorting and identifying the rocks and minerals they’ve collected. Follow your child’s lead.

Rockhounds Seek Treasure with Your Family By Ashley Talmadge

s parents, we know our kids are natural treasure-seekers and collectors. And even for the very young, rocks seem to hold an allure all their own. What two-year-old hasn’t proudly presented her parents with a “gem quality” backyard stone? “Rockhounds” are said to be amateur collectors of rocks and minerals, but many admit they’re drawn to the quest itself. Put it all together, and you’ve got a great activity for the whole family: rockhounding. Don’t worry if the details of your Earth Science class are long forgotten. Just dig in alongside your kids to discover a mother lode of adventure and fun.

Take these simple steps to ensure success on your family’s first rockhounding excursion. Keep it simple. Many experts recommend the seashore or a streambed for the first outing. Minimal equipment is needed at 14 MendoLakeFamilyLife

such sites. Garret Romaine, author of Geology Lab for Kids as well as many rockhounding guides, says, “Picking up pebbles does not require any special equipment—you can load up your pockets to your heart’s content, or recycle the baggie your

Deliver the goods. You don’t want your kids to walk away with empty pockets on their first junket, so go to a site with a proven track record. Several guides list collection sites by state or by region. (Try the Falcon Guides or Roadside Geology

You’ve probably heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a bad day of fishing.” The same might be said of rockhounding. series.) In addition, get current “insider” advice on kid-friendly sites from an active rockhound. The Santa Rosa Mineral and Gem Society (srmgs.org/links.php) is a good place to start. Know what you’re looking for. You’ve decided on a site, and you know what you’ll find there. Or do you? Rarely do the beautiful isolated photos in your field guide match the rocks at the collection site. Quartz crystals need to be scrubbed and polished, and agates need to be sliced or tumbled to achieve the radiance you see on the page. Find pictures of the raw specimens you’re seeking, and take them with you. Better yet, ask your local rockhound to show you some raw samples.

July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Enjoy your outdoor family time. You’ve probably heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a bad day of fishing.” The same might be said of rockhounding. There’s much more to the experience than finding rocks (or catching fish). Kids love to scrabble in the dirt, pounce after crickets, and watch clouds skitter across the sky as the weather changes. In many ways, there is no treasure more precious

Romaine echoes this sentiment. Having been a rockhound for years, he has a substantial collection, but admits, “My favorite specimens are the ones handed down from my grandparents.” In the end, your child’s collection will consist not just of rocks, but of crystalline memories and rock-solid connections, too. Ashley Talmadge is a freelance writer who specializes in parenting and health.

 Seattle (SEA)  Portland (PDX)  Los Angeles (LAX)  Orange County (SNA)  San Diego (SAN)  Phoenix (PHX)  Dallas (DFW)  San Francisco (SFO)  Denver (DEN)  Minneapolis (MSP)  Las Vegas (LAS)

Resources that Rock! Websites rockhoundkids.com thoughtco.com/geology usgs.gov (United States Geological Survey)

than experiencing these things with the ones you love. Christopher Williams, a coastal geologist and environmental educator, fondly remembers hikes when he and his family built “size of a bedroom sandcastles” on the beach. He concludes, “Many of my best talks with my parents and five siblings and now my spouse have happened not at home, but out in the beauty of nature.”

Fly local & enjoy nonstop flights!

©P N

Kids love to scrabble in the dirt, pounce after crickets, and watch clouds skitter across the sky.

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport

Books For little ones: Molly Beth Griffin, Rhoda’s Rock Hunt (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2014)

www.flySTS.com

Natalie M. Rosinsky, Rocks: Hard, Soft, Smooth, and Rough (Picture Window Books, 2002) Laura Purdie Salas, A Rock Can Be… (Millbrook Press TM, 2015) For elementary: Garret Romaine, Geology Lab for Kids: 52 Projects to Explore Rocks, Gems, Geodes, Crystals, Fossils, and Other Wonders of the Earth’s Surface (Quarry Books, 2017)

Miranda Smith, Rocks, Minerals & Gems (Scholastic, 2016) For older students and adults: A. C. Bishop et al., Guide to Minerals, Rocks & Fossils (Firefly Books, 2005) Chris Pellant, Rocks and Minerals (DK, 2000)

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MendoLakeFamilyLife 15

Keep a vacation journal. We take at least one big family vacation trip every summer. Since my son was very young we’ve had him keep a daily journal about his experiences. It’s been a great way

Going to nearby museums and learning about local history can also be surprisingly enjoyable.

Stop Brain Drain 7 Fun Ways to Engage Kids’ Minds

By Tanni Haas

o your kids seem a little less ready for school after each summer break? If the answer is Yes, don’t worry. They’re far from alone. It’s a common experience known as the summer learning slide. Research shows that, over summer break, kids lose anywhere from 20–50 percent of what they have acquired during the school year—and it gets worse the older they get. So, what can parents do to reduce the summer learning slide? Here are seven fun activities that have worked for my 15-year-old son, and I bet they’ll help your kids, too.

Quiz apps, like the board game Trivial Pursuit, are great for developing kids’ general knowledge.

Read fiction and non-fiction. Since my son learned to read, we’ve had him read one book a week, alternating fiction with nonfiction. It is summer after all, so instead of

assigning him books, we let him choose what to read. The point is to keep his reading and comprehension skills at his grade level.

16 MendoLakeFamilyLife

to keep his writing skills up-to-date and document his childhood. Email family and friends. To strengthen my son’s writing skills, we also have him email family and friends, especially those individuals we don’t get to see that much during the year. Teenagers really prefer texting, but we insist that he uses email because, as every parent knows, texts are usually full of broken sentences, odd grammar, and spelling mistakes. Play math-based board games. In the evening, whether we’re on a family vacation trip or at home, we play math games like Monopoly or spelling games like Scrabble. The key is to focus on the fun part—the competition—then the learning automatically happens. Watch feature and documentary movies. Aside from playing a board game or two, we also watch movies in the evening. With all the streaming services available, it’s not that hard to find a documentary or feature film that also happens to be educational. Movies are some of the most

July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

entertaining ways to learn about other time periods, cultures, and current events. Download educational apps. Although we try to make our son’s summer activities as social as possible, we also indulge his interest in anything technological, like letting him download all the educational apps he wants. He really likes quiz apps,

It’s not that hard to find a documentary or feature film that also happens to be educational. which, like the board game Trivial Pursuit, are great for developing kids’ general knowledge. Visit arts, history, and natural science museums. Museum visits are another great way to keep your kids up-to-date with the arts, history, and natural science. San Francisco has myriad museums, including the Exploratorium (a children’s science museum) and the California Academy of Sciences. But if making a trip into the city isn’t possible, going to nearby museums and learning about local history can also be surprisingly enjoyable. Check out the Gibson Museum in Middletown, the Historic Courthouse Museum in Lakeport, the Historic Schoolhouse Museum in Lower Lake, the Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah, the Mendocino County Museum in Willits, and the Mendocino Coast Model Railroad and Historical Society in Fort Bragg. ¶

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Tanni Haas, Ph.D., is a college communications professor.

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July 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 17

Word Wise

4. Test-drive media. Writers love words and words come in many forms. Expose your writers to multiple forms of media, such as books (including e-books), magazines, newspapers, journals, comics, graphic novels, blogs, and websites. Variety inspires creative thinking.

Encourage your children to be free thinkers, and you’ll raise inspired writers.

Raising Kids Who Love to Write By Christina Katz

o you think you have budding writers under your roof? Well, never fear. Writing has evolved quite a bit in the information age. This list of tips will help you and your kids keep your feet on the ground as you explore the multiple possibilities of a writing life. 1. Express support. Kids may be vocal about their desire to write, or they may feel shy about it. If you notice signs that your children enjoy creating with words, why not just go ahead and ask if they’d enjoy learning more about writing? Don’t press them, though. 2. Encourage individuality. Every person has unique ways of viewing the world, unless someone interferes with his or her perspective. It’s one thing to ask your children to consider your point of view; it’s another thing to

18 MendoLakeFamilyLife

pressure them to embrace a point of view that does not belong to them. Encourage your children to be free thinkers, and you’ll raise inspired writers. 3. Purchase tools. Take your writers to the office supply store and ask, “Is there anything you need for school or even just for fun?” and watch what happens. Writers adore supplies. So if your scribblers want gel pens, pocket pads, and locked journals, either get them or add them to an upcoming gift list.

5. Study established writers. The digital age gives us more access to real-life and virtual interactions with established writers than ever. Ask your scribblers to list favorite writers and then help them track down reference materials. Consider websites, documentaries, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio interviews, profiles, and articles. Check author websites for upcoming book-tour dates. Try to attend as many author events as you can. You’re young writers will never forget the experiences. 6. Respect storytelling. Once your kids did not know where babies came from, so don’t expect your starry-eyed writers to know where stories come from either. Help your aspiring writers understand that stories do not fall whole and complete from the sky. Great works are crafted through inspiration, skill, and sustained effort over time. Discussing the craft of the writing process helps kids understand the level of commitment it takes to complete a book-length work. 7. Check out biographies. Unfortunately, in the past many

July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

writers struggled. Some of their lives were, in fact, fairly tragic. For this reason, you may not wish to dwell on the stories of historical writers. You don’t want to inadvertently plant the seed in your youngsters’ heads that writers are destined for lives of suffering. Fortunately, we have many modern-day examples of writers striving and succeeding. Encourage your writers to look up some contemporary role models, and they will find plenty of real-life inspiration. 8. Protect privacy. Beyond what they write for school, young writers should be allowed to privately store their works-in-process. Whether they do not wish you to see what they write because they are tentative, shy, or embarrassed does not matter. You

research assistant. Schedule trips to the library, encouraging them to befriend the research librarian. Brainstorm ways to learn more about the topic. Allow access to computer databases you’ve checked out together. (Set parental controls on your computers, though.)

Try to attend as many author events as you can. You’re young writers will never forget the experiences.

10. Praise patience. Unlike other hobbies, avocations, and careers that come with expiration dates, writers can scribble from the time they can hold a pencil until their last day on Earth. Make sure your young writers know that they’ve got all the time in the world to write. ¶

9. Support research. Writers often need to stick an imaginary funnel in their heads and fill it with relevant data. When your young writers take an interest in a topic, make yourself their

HEALTHY KIDS NEED HEALTHY TEETH

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Christina Katz was born a writer, but she still had to take a lot of concrete steps to bring her dream to life. She knows young writers will deeply appreciate any support parents can provide.

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do not need to supervise every word they write. Make sure other family members also respect young writers’ need for privacy. Sometimes, if you ask patiently, your writers will come around and show you their work.

2019

July 2019

DOUBLE YOUR FOOD DO MendoLakeFamilyLife 19 MORE FRUITS & VEGE

seem fun and familiar. Let them take ownership of ‘their’ school,” offers mom Shari Medini. Find some friends. You should be able to discover some other kids in the neighborhood for your kid to meet before school starts. Otherwise,

Little Bits of Courage Ease Kindergarteners’ Separation Anxiety

By Kerrie McLoughlin

y mom always tells me she was a mess when she dropped me off for my first day of kindergarten. She had to go out to breakfast and cry. While it wasn’t a big deal for me, some kids do experience anxiety on opening day of kindergarten, and it’s entirely normal. Letting go of your child’s hand might be difficult for you, too. But it’s the first step toward letting her or him fly on her or his own, and it’s an important milestone. Here are some real-mom tips to make it easier on both of you.

Visit the school. Steph Dalrymple, mom of one, suggests visiting the inside of the school sometime before the first day. If the school is hosting a kindergarten intro session for new students—an 20 MendoLakeFamilyLife

experience created just for the purpose of getting kids familiar with the school, classroom, teachers, and their peers—don’t skip it. Also, “Play at the school playground a few times over the summer. It helps make it

As the first day approaches, express excitement even if you are anxious. talk about what it’s going to be like to make new friends at school and what it means to be a good friend. Go shopping. Kitty Fulks, mom of seven, says, “Take them shopping for school supplies and for a few new outfits.” Back-to-school shopping is very important to get kids excited for the first day. A new backpack, water bottle, lunch box, shoes, and nap blanket might calm some fears. Talk about it. Reading some books about kindergarten and school is a great way to get kids excited, offers Cathie Maschler, mom of four. Check out On the First Day of Kindergarten by Tish Rabe (HarperCollins, 2016), and The 12 Days of Kindergarten by Jenna Lettice (Random House, 2017). Hit the high notes. Tell your kid about fun school situations, such as field trips, recess, assemblies, substitute teachers, new friends, physical education, art, music, and lunchtime. Mom Gina Kennedy

July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

suggests even calling the playground a “park,” since it really is like a park at the school. Set it up. Laying out clothes the night before, planning a special breakfast, and packing a fabulous lunch will go a long way toward kicking off a great day.

Searching for the perfect preschool? Find LOCAL licensed preschools & day care centers, after-school options, educational activities & family fun.

Watch your emotions. As the first day approaches, express excitement even if you are anxious,

Tell your kid about fun school situations, such as field trips, recess, and lunchtime. and don’t talk about how much you’re going to miss your kid in front of her or him. Don’t linger. “It’s easier if the kids can walk away from you [rather] than you leaving them. So don’t go into the classroom and hover. Walk them into school then let them go, or go to the classroom then [let them] go in and don’t linger. It’s like sneaking out when you have a babysitter,” suggests mom of four Tresa McAlhaney.

Don’t Miss the Preschool & Day Care Guide COMING THIS OCTOBER

Wrap it up. Set up a routine for the end of each school day that your child can look forward to. Even a daily simple snack and a chat about the day will help the child stay positive and confident throughout the school year. ¶ Kerrie McLoughlin is the mom of five. Find her at thekerrieshow.com.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

July 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 21

July

Calendar of Events Carol Dutra, Ron Barros

Purple Reign

rince was so beloved in the Bay Area that when he died in 2016, San Francisco City Hall was illuminated in the color most associated with the artist, purple. Today, the Oakland-based Purple Ones pay tribute to his music with its 12-piece band, which includes a full horn section. The group will perform on July 6 at 8 p.m. at Twin Pine Casino and Hotel in Middletown. Admission is $20. Find out more at twinpine.com. ¶

Tuesday 2 Flynn Creek Circus. A rurally based, award-winning circus bringing international talent to the North Bay. $12–$50. Ages 2 & younger: free. (Except July 2, 7 p.m., all seats $11–$22.) July 3: 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. July 4: 1:30 p.m. July 5: 4 p.m. (7 p.m. only for adults 21+). July 6: 2 p.m. Friendship Park. 998 School St., Mendocino. flynncreekcircus.com. FREE Summer Food Program.

Konocti Unified provides meals to children during the summer. No income requirements or registration. Any child younger than 18 may come to eat. Mondays–Fridays. Lower Lake Elementary (9240 Lake St., Lower Lake): breakfast 7:45–8:35 a.m. & lunch 10:55 a.m.–12:35 p.m. Runs thru July 19. Lower Lake High School (9430 Lake St., Lower Lake): breakfast 7:25–8:05 a.m. & lunch 12:15–1 p.m. Runs thru July 17. konoctiusd.org/ summer-food-program-2. FREE Summer Food Program.

Ukiah Unified School District provides meals to children during the summer. No income requirements or registration. Any child younger than 18 may come to eat. No service on July 4. Mondays–Fridays. Breakfast: 7:45 a.m. Lunch: 11:45 a.m. Thru July 10: 22 MendoLakeFamilyLife

The Purple Ones

Yokayo Elementary (790 S. Dora Ave.) & Ukiah High School (1000 Low Gap Rd.). Thru July 26: Grace Hudson Elementary (251 Jefferson Ln.) & lunch only at Todd Grove Park (600 Live Oak Ave.). uusd.net.

Wednesday 3 Willits Frontier Days. Truck

pull, horse show, street dance & CCPRA professional rodeo. BBQ: $8–$15. Rodeo: $5–$15. July 3–5: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Willits Rodeo Grounds. E. Commercial St., Willits. See website for event times & venues: willitsfrontierdays.com. FREE Kids’ Farmer Market. Local

kids selling their homegrown produce in front of the library. Wednesdays. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah. facebook.com/ UkiahLibrary.

Thursday 4 FREE Annual Cardboard & Duct Tape Boat Race. Build a vessel from

cardboard & duct tape & then race it. Races divided by age. Pre-register: 10 a.m. Race: 11 a.m. Library Park. 200 Park St., Lakeport. lakecochamber. chambermaster.com. FREE July 4th Street Fair & Fireworks. Music, activities,

vendors & variety of food available. Fireworks: dusk. 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Library Park. 200 Park St., Lakeport. lakeportmainstreet.com. FREE All-American Picnic in the Park. Live entertainment, organized

games, bounce houses, live art zone, contests & races. Free swim at Ukiah Municipal Pool. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Todd Grove Park. 600 Live Oak Ave., Ukiah. cityofukiah.com/recreation. FREE July 4th BBQ & Lawn Party.

Live music, BBQ, wine/beer for purchase. Bring chairs & blanket for parade. 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Kelley House Museum. 45007 Albion St., Mendocino. kelleyhousemuseum.org/ july4th. FREE July 4th Parade. Floats, horses, art carts, dogs & much more. Noon–2 p.m. Mendocino Village. mendocinocoast.com/events. FREE 4th of July Kickin’ In the Country Street Dance. Featuring the

Cobb Area Musicians. Bring chairs & dancing shoes. 7–10 p.m. Main St., Kelseyville. visitkelseyville.com.

Friday 5 FREE Fireworks Show. DJ Andre Ari playing the tunes. Food/ refreshments available for purchase.

July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Family Fun

Party in the Sky

Local Fireworks Displays Lake County July 3

Clearlake Oaks: Maxine Sherman Memorial Annual Fireworks Display. Dusk. Fireworks are launched from Clearlake Oaks Beach Park. The best views are from boats anchored east of Rattlesnake Island. If you don’t have access to a boat, the next best viewing area is from Clarks Island. Free. Donations accepted. clearlakeoaks.org/fireworks.

July 4

Lakeport: Fourth of July Street Faire. Music, activities, vendors, and a variety of food. 10 a.m.– 10 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. Free. Library Park.

July 5

Lakeport: Fireworks Show at Konocti Vista Casino. BBQ and outdoor bar starts at 1 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. 262-1900. facebook.com/konoctivistacasino.

July 6

Clearlake: 62nd Annual Redbud Parade and Festival. Theme: “Lake County Roots.” Parade starts at 11 a.m. in Redbud Park and goes to Austin Park. Festival with arts and crafts vendors, food, and car show in Austin Park 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Worm races noon–1 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. (Carnival July 3–7 across the street from Austin Park.) 994-3070.

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Mendocino County July 4

Boonville: Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration. Children’s bike parade, relay games, splash chair, and tug-of-war. Food and drinks available. Noon–4 p.m. Parade starts at noon. $5. Ages 14 and younger free. Mendocino County Fairgrounds. Mendocino: Fourth of July Parade. Floats, dogs, horses, art cars, music, and more. Noon. Main and Lansing Streets. old.mendocino.com/july4th.html.

July 6

Fort Bragg: Fireworks Over Noyo After Dark. Dusk. Free. Todd’s Point Field. 961-3600. fortbragg.com.

Point Arena: Fourth of July Celebration. Street fair with live and DJ music, crafts, activities, and food and drinks. Bring flashlights and jackets. No pets. Parking is limited. Shuttle bus available. Additional parking at City Hall (with shuttle service to the pier). $5–$10. $20 for family of 4. 4–11 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. Point Arena Cove. pointarena.net.

July 7

Point Arena: Independence Day Parade. Parade travels along Main St./Hwy. 1. Past years’ entries have included fire trucks, classic cars, floats, drum corps, dancers, horses, and art cars. Noon. Free. Point Arena Cove. Picnic in Bower Park, 2–6 p.m. pointarena.net.

July 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 23

1 p.m.–midnight. Outdoor bar. Fireworks start at dark. Koncoti Vista Casino. 2755 Mission Rancheria Rd., Lakeport. facebook.com/ konoctivistacasino. FREE Concerts in the Park. July 5:

Clean Sweep (R&B). July 12: Brittnee Kellogg (country). July 19: Journey Revisited. July 26: Johnny Young (country rock). 6:30–9:30 p.m. Library Park. 225 Park St., Lakeport. support. lakecochamber.com.

Saturday 6 FREE Clear Lake Scullers Learn to Row Day. Beginning rowing lessons.

All ages welcome. Kayaks & rowing sculls available. 8 a.m.–noon. Clear Lake Scullers’ Boat Yard. Natural High School. Main St., Lakeport (north of Library Park). 349-9779. lakecochamber.chambermaster.com.

FREE Pack Rat Sale. Everything from

garden supplies & household goods to antiques & collectibles. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Parking lot. 18220 N. Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg. gardenbythesea.org. World’s Largest Salmon BBQ.

Food, live music, local wines/beers. $33. Ages 12 & younger: $10. No pets. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Noyo Harbor. 19101 S. Noyo Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg. salmonrestoration.com. Point Arena Firework Extravaganza.

Live music, arts & crafts & activities for the kids. Food/drink available for purchase. $10. Family of 4: $20. Ages 11 & younger: free. 4–11 p.m. Arena Cove. Point Arena. pointarena.ca.gov. FREE Fishing Day in California.

Fish without a sport fishing license. Fishing regulations, bag & size limits,

gear restrictions, report card, fishing hours & stream closures remain in effect. wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/ free-fishing-days. FREE Fireworks Over Fort Bragg.

8–10 p.m. Todd’s Point Field. Ocean View Dr., Fort Bragg. visitfortbraggca. com/event. FREE Clearlake Independence Day Celebration. Parade at 10 a.m.

starts at Redbud Park & ends at Austin Park. Followed by live music, food, vendors, carnival, car show, worm races & more. Fireworks: dusk. Carnival: 10 a.m.–midnight. Austin Park. 14077 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake. lakecounty.com. The Music of Prince. Featuring the

Purple Ones. $20. 8–10 p.m. 21+ only. Twin Pine Casino & Hotel. 22223

All the Flexibility of Homeschooling The Benefits of Ukiah Unified!

CATCH A WAVE THIS SUMMER!

We offer the best Youth Surf Camp in Northern California Caspar beach is one of the best locations to learn to surf. It has a unique protected cove with naturally shallow water for beginner surfers. Enroll by a phone interview 707-357-1042 www.gosurfmendo.com 24 MendoLakeFamilyLife

CALL TODAY TO LEARN MORE!

Ukiah Independent Study Academy One on one individualized learning with an accredited teacher Flex Time & Days • Tailored Learning Eligible for UHS Sports • Dual College Enrollment College & Career Readiness • WASC Accredited Science Labs • Science Club • Art Classes

Now Accepting TK-12 Registration 1000 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah • 707-472-5906 July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Hwy. 29, Middletown. facebook.com/ twinpinecasinoandhotel. Off the Map. A quirky play about

a homeschooling hippie family in New Mexico in the 1970s. $20. July 5 & 6: 7:30 p.m. July 7: 2 p.m. Willits Community Theatre. 37 W. Van Ln., Willits. brownpapertickets.com/ event/4255071.

Sunday 7 Auditions for the Musical Even in Shadow. This stage play will be

shot on video. No live performances are planned. Actor-singers & singers who are non-actors (18 or older) are also welcome to audition for the soundtrack. July 7: 7 p.m. & July 13: 1 p.m. Also possible to audition online (deadline is July 15). Kelseyville Presbyterian Church. 5340 3rd St., Kelseyville. eveninshadow.com.

Tuesday 9 FREE Wizard of Oz. The 1939 classic. Screens at 1 & 6 p.m. Soper Reese Community Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com.

Friday 12

Sewing Workshops. All ages. Designing & making a wearable or usable item. Suggested donation $25. Materials included. Tuesdays & Thursdays. 10 a.m.–noon. Art House Gallery. 15210 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake. Call 295-1030 to sign up. FREE Middletown Storytime. Stories, songs, crafts & games. For young children & their parents. Tuesdays. 11:30 a.m. Middletown Library. 21256 Washington St., Middletown. facebook. com/middletownlibrary. FREE Walk & Bike Mendocino Summer Rides. All ages welcome.

Learn safety riding & bike skills. Must be able to ride 5 miles. Tuesdays. 6 p.m. Meet in the back parking lot of NCO. The lot is on Main St. across from the Jan Hoyman studio. facebook.com/ walkbikemendocino.

Lake County Rodeo. $6–$13. Ages 12 & younger get in free when accompanied by paid adult. July 12: 6–10 p.m. July 13: 9 a.m.–2 p.m., 6 p.m.– midnight. Lake County Fairgrounds. 401 Martin St., Lakeport. 245-7431. lakecountyrodeo.com. Snap a Day. Kids learn to improve

their smartphone photography, how to enhance their Instagram profile & how to use their online presence wisely. Please bring smartphone. For ages 12–18. Fridays. 2–4 p.m. Ukiah Library. 105 N. Main St., Ukiah.

Mendocino College and Lake County Theatre Company present

Shakespeare at the Lake 2019

July 27 and 28

Library Park - Lakeport

Austin Park - Clearlake

6:30PM - all shows FREE ADMISSION

Mendocino College

LCTC.US or 707.278.9628

August 2-4

MORE INFO:

in cooperation with Lake County Friends of Mendocino College, City of Lakeport, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, and City of Clearlake

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

July 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 25

Mendocino Music Festival. Musical

performances from around the globe. Thru July 27. Various venues in Mendocino. Full schedule & ticket prices: mendocinomusic.org. FREE Moonlight Movie Madness.

Ralph Breaks the Internet. July 26: Bumblebee. Bring blankets & low-back chairs to these outdoor film screenings. 7–11 p.m. Alex R. Thomas Plaza. 310 S. State St., Ukiah. visitukiah.com.

Saturday 13 FREE Bernie the Dolphin. Part of Movies in the Park series. Bring chair or blanket. Snacks available for purchase. 9:15 p.m. Middletown Square Park. Middletown. lakecountybloom.com. FREE LEGO Robotics. Presented

by the Children’s Museum of Art & Science for children in grades

3–8. Call library to sign up. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. July 13: Redbud Library. 14785 Burns Valley Rd., Clearlake. 944-5115. July 27: Middletown Library. 21256 Washington St., Middletown. 944-5115. lakecountyca.gov. An Evening in Polynesia Luau.

Hawaiian food, Polynesian dancers & a raffle. Fundraiser for Lake Family Resource Center. $50. 6 p.m. Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill. 5625 Gaddy Ln., Kelseyville. lakefrc.org/ special-events. 279-0563.

Sunday 14 FREE Sundays in the Park Concert Series. July 14: Dirty Revival. July 28:

Poor Man’s Whiskey. Blanket or low chairs only. Food/drinks for purchase or bring picnic. Sundays. 6–8 p.m. Todd Grove Park. 600 Live Oak Ave., Ukiah. 463-6231. Bastille Day Fete. An

90th ANNUAL ANNUAL 89th LAKE COUNTY

RODEO

JULY 12TH 13TH, JULY 6 && 7, 20182019 6pm each evening CCPRA PRO RODEO EVENTS EACH NIGHT Bull Riding Bull Riding Team RopingTeam Roping Team Roping • Local Local Team Roping Barrel Racing • Local Barrel Racing Barrel Calf Racing Roping Local Barrel Racing Bareback Bronc Riding Calf Roping Steer Wrestling Bareback Bronc Riding Riding Saddle Bronc Bareback Bucking Pony Riders Steer Wrestling Jackpot Barrel Racing – Sat 9am Saddle Bronc Riding Also: Also: Queen Queen&&Princess PrincessContest Contest Mutton MuttonBustin’ Bustin’Ages Ages44toto88 Cutest CutestCowpoke CowpokeAges Ages33to to 88 Fairgrounds Lakeport Fairgrounds ininLakeport www.lakecountyrodeo.com www.lakecountyrodeo.com

1-866-525-3767 1-866-525-3767

26 MendoLakeFamilyLife

afternoon of French-themed fun with live music, dancing, food & wine. Wear your favorite French outfit. $15–$25. 7 p.m. Soper Reese Theatre. 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. 263-0577. soperreesetheatre.com. Bastille Day Celebration. Pétanque, bistro lunch & music. Boules on the court: 10 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Dinner: 5 p.m. Ledford House Restaurant. 3000 Hwy. 1, Albion. Reservations: 937-0282. ledfordhouse.com. FREE Sports Physicals & Back to School Fair. Also free backpacks,

dental screenings, and haircuts. Walks-in only on first come, first-served basis. Physicals also on July 28. Bring all necessary paperwork required by school. 8 a.m.–noon. Adventist Health Howard Memorial Medical Office. 3 Marcela Dr., Willits. 456-3591.

Thursday 18 Mamma Mia the Musical. $20–$22. Ages 17 & younger: $12. July 18 is free preview night. July 18–20, 26–27: 7:30 p.m. July 21 & 28: 3 p.m. Runs thru Aug. 11. Eagles Hall. 210 N. Corry St., Fort Bragg. gloriana.org.

Friday 19 FREE Concerts on the Green. Fargo Brothers perform. Kids’ zone. BBQ on sale. Personal alcohol & dogs not permitted. 5–8 p.m. Hidden Valley Lake Practice Green. 19210 Hartmann Rd., Hidden Valley. hvla.com. FREE Friday Produce Pantry.

9:30–11 a.m. Kelseyville Presbyterian Church. 5340 3rd St., Kelseyville. visitkelseyville.com.

Saturday 20 FREE Rhythm & Brews on Clearlake.

Craft beer festival. Food, music, dunk tank, Dachshund derby & kids’ area. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Library Park. 225 Park St., Lakeport. eventbrite.com. Civil War Days. Battles, cannon

firings, artillery demos & cavalry horses set in an 1863 town. Battles twice daily. $6–$12. Ages 6 & younger: free. Parking: $5. July 20: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. July 21: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Freezeout Rd. (1/4 mile down), Duncan Mills. civilwardays.net. FREE 11th Annual Auto Show & Pinewood Derby. Dragsters, hot rods,

customs & modifieds. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Gualala Arts Center. 46501 Old State Hwy., Gualala. gualalaarts.org. FREE Mendocino Summer Arts & Crafts Fair. July 20 & 21: 10

a.m.–5 p.m. Mendocino Art Center. 45200 Little Lake St., Mendocino. mendocinoartcenter.org. Annual Barrel Tasting. Taste yet-to-be-released wines, from pinots

July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

to zinfandels. $30 includes glass & wristband that grants admission into participating wineries. July 20 & 21: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Wineries throughout Anderson Valley. facebook.com/ avwines.

Tuesday 23

rides): $25 in advance or $35 at door. July 25 & 26: 5–11 p.m. July 27: 11:15 a.m.–11 p.m. July 28: noon–10 p.m. Field on Hwy. 1/Hwy. 20. squareup. com/store/fort-bragg-lions-club/item/ carnival-by-the-sea.

Saturday 27

A Midsummer Night’s Feast. Good

FREE Shakespeare at the Lake.

Farm annual benefit. Local chefs & farms collaborate to create seasonal plates. Live music & silent auction. Advance: $125. Door: $150. Includes all food & beverages. 7 p.m. Yokayo Ranch. 800 Hensley Creek Rd., Ukiah. brownpapertickets.com/event/4231789.

The Taming of the Shrew. Modern twist in which the women wield the power. Bring low-back chair or blanket. Presented by Lake County Theatre Company. 6:30 p.m. Thru July 28. Library Park. 200 Park St., Lakeport. laketheatre.org.

Thursday 25

FREE Wild About Eagles. A day of activities for kids & adults. Storytime: 10:30–11 a.m. Kids’ Craft: 11 a.m.-noon. Audubon Talk: 2–3 p.m. Fort Bragg Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. 964-2020. fortbragglibrary.org.

Carnival By the Sea. All day

unlimited pass. $25–$35. Annual fundraiser for Fort Bragg–Mendocino Lions Club. Tickets (unlimited

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO

SUMMER FUN

Kids’ Triathlon. Ages 15 & younger. Divided into age groups. $10–$15. 9 a.m. Todd Grove Park. 600 Live Oak Ave., Ukiah. Register: cityofukiah. com/kids-triathlon. Double Trouble: A Tribute to Tom Petty & Bob Seger. $20–$65. 6 p.m.

Cache Creek Vineyards. 250 New Long Valley Rd., Clearlake Oaks. brownpapertickets.com/event/4273052.

Wednesday 31 FREE Harry Potter D&D for Kids & Teens. Ages 9–18. 3–6 p.m. Fort Bragg

Library. 499 E. Laurel St., Fort Bragg. 964-2020. fortbragglibrary.org. Children’s Museum of Arts & Science Fundraiser. All-you-can-eat

pizza: $8. 5–8 p.m. DJ Pizza. 16135 Main St., Lower Lake. facebook.com/ djspizza.

Creative Technology

Robotics • 3-D Printing • Virtual Reality

STARTS RIGHT HERE!

Orientation Days coming in August! Call for info.

Where arts, nature & technology thrive La Vida 707-459-6344 Charter 16201 Hwy 101, Willits School lavidaschool.org www.mendolakefamilylife.com

July 2019

MendoLakeFamilyLife 27

Cooking with Kids

Bowl of Crunch

Make a Fresh Summer Salad By Momma Chef

his is a great recipe if you need a new, fun salad or want something yummy to bring over to a friend’s home. I dress this with a simple olive oil/ balsamic vinegar mix and add silvered almonds on top for some crunch. Put the salad in a pretty bowl, and you have a beautiful and tasty dish. ¶ Karen Nochimowski, the mom behind mommachef.com, has loved cooking for as long as she can remember. After her friends and family begged to be let in on her culinary secrets, she decided to create a blog featuring the quick, easy recipes everyone loved. Every recipe has only six or fewer ingredients and takes only six or fewer minutes to prepare.

28 MendoLakeFamilyLife

Simple and Delicious Summer Broccoli Salad Ingredients • 1/3 cup olive oil • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar • 1 tsp. salt • 1 bag Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch Salad (a mixture of chopped kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and green and red cabbage) • 1 container mini heirloom tomatoes cut in half • ¼ cup slivered almonds Instructions 1. Mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. 2. Pour salad mix, tomatoes, and almonds in a large bowl. 3. When ready to serve, pour dressing over salad and mix well. 4. Yep, that’s it! Serves: 6

July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

Marketplace Preschools

Schools

Give Your Give Child a Head Start! C E N T E R S

Free Your & Low-Cost Quality Preschool! • Ukiah Child a classroomsTuition-free ✓ 1/2-day & full-day for Montessori North Ukiah - Bush St. ages 18 months to 5 years Nokomis - Washington Ave. Head elementary South forUkiah ages 5-13 - S. State St. ✓ Potty-trained not necessary Peach Tree - S. Orchard Ave. Start! Hands-on, arts and music  ✓ Children with disabilities welcome • Willits

integrated with academics Near Brookside School at ✓ Referrals for transportation available Free & Low-Cost Spruce St. & Lincoln Way  National Green Campus Quality Preschool! • Lake County Also providing FREE in-home services for

 Promotes responsibility, Upper Lake - 2nd Street infants, toddlers & pregnant women!

Head Start Child Development Program www.ncoinc.org Head Start

Lake - Clover Valley respect, andUpper peace

(707)Development 462-2582 Program License #230111843 Child Applications online: www.ncoinc.org • (707) 462-2582

treeoflifeschool@pacific.net www.treeoflifeschool.net

Accelerated Achievement Academy

Find a School or After-School Activity in our Online Directories MendoLakeFamilyLife.com

Get Mom’s Attention! YOUR AD HERE Fresh from the Barrel

Classifieds Work Call 586-9562

enophiles are readying themselves to converge in Anderson Valley. Their mission? To taste yet-to-be-released wines directly from their casks. Wineries in the Anderson Valley Winegrowers’ Association will be previewing new wines, from pinots to zinfandels, as well as current releases at the annual Barrel Tasting, July 20 and 21, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Each person will get a glass and a wristband, the latter of which will guarantee admission into participating wineries. Purchase tickets, which are $30, via facebook.com/avwines or on Eventbrite. ¶

www.mendolakefamilylife.com

• Coastnorth end of Fairgrounds Fort Bragg - Lincoln St. PO Box 966 Ukiah 95482

707-462-0913

Living Outside the Lines ometime in the 1970s in the wilds of New Mexico, an 11-year-old homeschool girl lives with her back-to-the-land parents. Her dad is depressed and her mom is trying to figure out what to do with the IRS agent who came to audit them but, for some reason, has undergone an existential crisis on their couch. Such is the plot of Off the Map, a quirky 1999 play that was turned into a highly praised, under-the-radar film in 2003 and will come to the stage of Willits Theatre in Willits on July 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and July 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15–$20 and are available at the door or via willitstheatre.org. ¶

Lakeport - Howard Ave. Clearlake - Pearl Ave. ClearlakeLocated - Meadowbrookon Dr.

US News and World Reports: America’s Best High Schools Bronze Medal  FREE public school  Support for struggling

students  Small classes  Grades 4-12

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Call today! (707) 463-7080

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Humor Break daylight to stop moving, let alone sleep. And, of course, your kids won’t sleep in. Even if they did sleep past 6 a.m., there’s the whole issue of your tent turning into a steam room by 8.

You Will Not Rest 4 Truths about Camping with Kids By Pam Moore

od, give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. —The Serenity Prayer

usually within a 36- to 72-hour window. Loudly sighing and muttering, “The kids’ sun hats and toothbrushes aren’t going to pack themselves” through gritted teeth, and zipping duffel bags with the intensity of a thousand blazing suns, will not change this fact. Believe me, I’ve tried.

Alcoholics Anonymous may be responsible for the popularity of the Serenity Prayer, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t perfect for other situations, like taking your kids camping. As soon as you accept the things you can’t change, you will quickly and easily stop fantasizing about faking your own death or “discovering” your minivan’s tires have been slashed just before your next family camping trip. Here are four truths I’ve learned on our family camping trips.

You can forget about quality sleep. You’re exhausted by the time you arrive. Anyone would be after driving to the edge of nowhere with a soundtrack of “Are we there yet?” on repeat. A nap would be perfect, but only if you find it rejuvenating to sleep in a pool of your own sweat. Tents become saunas by about 8 a.m. in the summer.

You will touch all the things. None will spark joy. Camping is packing all the things, only to unpack, pack, unpack, and wash them,

Going to sleep early sounds amazing, except for the whole part about your kids being there. Just accept that they are too amped up on s’mores and

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Your kids will be dirty and sticky the whole time. If you can’t stand the look or feel of little hands and faces caked in a mixture of high-fructose corn syrup and dirt, it will be better to just not look at or touch your kids the entire time you’re camping. Accept that no amount of baby wipes or hand sanitizer will be sufficient to get your kids looking like they didn’t just crawl out of a coal mine. Don’t waste energy chasing them with a washcloth. You’re better off conserving your resources for when you have to load up the car and unload it again. You will not get lucky. Just forget it. Before you had kids, a tent (or anywhere) was a fantastic place to get busy. Now…just no. It’s one thing to have some grown-up time at home with your kids hovering around your locked bedroom door while you yell, “Not right now, we’re busy. Take the iPad! Yes, you heard me right!” It’s quite another to get your freak on in the same tent as your kids. It was my fate to marry a man whose parents took him on his first camping trip before his first birthday. The active pursuit of discomfort is in his DNA. While I’ll never choose camping over staying in an air-conditioned hotel, I’m proud to report I’ve never stabbed my better half with a marshmallow roasting stick, either. It’s all about acceptance. ¶ This article was originally published on Motherly. Find Pam Moore’s guide to crushing Impostor Syndrome at pam-moore.com.

July 2019 www.mendolakefamilylife.com

July 2019

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Free Sports Physicals Make sure your athlete is ready to get in the game Physicians and providers will be performing assessments to make sure your child is ready to play! Free and open to all children and youth in Mendocino County. Please bring all necessary paperwork required by your school.

Children must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian to receive services and screenings.

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BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR JULY 14TH

Sunday, July 14th & 28th 8:00 a.m. to Noon

Adventist Health Howard Memorial Medical Office 3 Marcela Drive in Willits

FREE SPORTS PHYSICALS Call (707) 456-3591 for more information. Walk-ins only on a first come first served basis.